Architecture

Craftsman / Bungalows

Craftsman homes tend to be the trendy pick of Portland home buyers.  Very popular in every age range and demographic.  Sometimes referred to as Arts and Crafts.  Craftsman architecture conceptualized as a rebellion against the mass-produced, machine made materials used in 19th century homes in England.  Craftsman homes are made of real wood and hand-made.   It is still possible to find homes more than 100 years old with the most amazing woodwork you have ever seen.

Time Period – 1900-1930

Exterior features include; low pitched roof, large front porch, wide eave overhangs, gabled columns.

Interior features include; Exposed beams, Built-in cabinets and book shelves, wainscoting,  wood moldings.

Neighborhoods where you can find these homes include:  Multnomah Village, Irvington, Alameda, The Hawthorne District, Sunnyside, Laurelhurst, Alberta Arts, Grant Park, Concordia, St. John’s, Portsmouth, Woodstock, Hollyrood, Northwest (Nob Hill), Mt. Tabor, Woodlawn, Albina, Rose City, Beaumont-Willshire, John’s Landing

Tudor

Tudor homes were enormously popular in the 1920′s and 1930′s.  They are inspired by 1600 medieval English architecture.   In the early 2000′s there was a resurgence of popularity with new building materials coming available.

Time Period – 1890-1940′s and Present

Features include; steeply pitched roofline and gables, stone facades,  rounded doorways,  casement windows.

Neighborhoods where you can find them;  West Hills (Portland Heights), Arrington Heights, Kings Heights, Westover Heights, Willamette Heights, Grant Park, Alameda, Dunthorpe.  The Modern versions can be found in Forest Heights,  Beaverton, Tigard, and Happy Valley.

Cottage

Cottages are a subcategory of Tudors and are patterned after English cottages built in medieval times.  Cottages tend to have irregular shaped rooms and odd flow.  Not so popular with modern living, but if re-invented from the inside out are wonderfully comfortable homes.  21st century version of cottages have the livability of a modern home with the charm of yester-year.

Period:  1900 – 1940 and Present

Features include;  Sloping and uneven gabled roof, irregular and asymmetrical shape, prominent chimney, leaded glass.

Neighborhoods where you can find cottages;  Alameda, Grant Park, Hawthorne District, Irvington,  Laurelhurst,  Sellwood,  West Hills.  Modern versions can be found in many new contstuction neighborhoods on the west and east-side.

Victorian

In the late 19th century advances in technology allowed for mass produced building products and ornamentation.  Victorians are known for their heavy ornamentation.  Victorians are very popular down in the south.

Time Period – 1880-1910

Popular features include; Gingerbread molding, spindles, patterned shingles, large porches,  large amounts of ornamentation.

Neighborhoods where you can find these homes are;   Northwest (Nob Hill), Kings Hill, Goose Hollow, Sellwood, The Hawthorne District, Sullivan’s Gulch, Irvington, Brooklyn,  Ladd’s Addition,  Eastmoreland,  Westmoreland,  Overlook,  University Park.

Colonial Revival

The colonial revival was sparked by the 1876 Centenial Celebration where architects embraced a reflection back in time to a simpler way of life.  These homes include Cape Cods,  Colonial, Georgian and Federal.  They are simple in nature and flow, very different from the other styles of the time.

Time Period – 1900- 1940

Classical Features include;  Symmetrical,  Boxy,  Strong Entrance,  Double hung windows.

Neighborhoods where you will find these homes;  West Hills (Portland Heights), Arlington Heights, Westover Heights, Green Hills, Council Crest, Dunthorpe, Eastmoreland, Laurelhurst, Waverly, Irvington

American Foursquare/Old Portland (Old PDX)

The American Foursquare is a Post-Victorian style the encompasses many architectural styles from Craftsman to Italian Renaissance.  This style home is found in just about every corner of the US.  In Portland these homes are known for their symmetrical beauty and large stature.

Time Period:  1890- 1960

Features include;  Equal four sides,  4 bedrroms,  Large porches,  and low pitched roofs.

Old Pdx’s can be found in just about every Portland neighborhood on the west and east side.

Ranch Style / Daylight Ranch

The Ranch started in California in the 1930′s  and was the dominant home style in the 50′s and 60′s.  As American families were able to buy cars it made a need for larger homes on lager lots with room for a garage.   The Ranch was the answer and became the norm in the suburbs.  A variation of the Ranch is a Mid-Century Modern.  These homes had cleaner lines, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings and larger, often full wall windows.

Time Period:  1930- 1960

Common features include; single story, low pitched roof,  long rambling floor plans,  lack of decorative detail

Neighborhoods where they are found; Hillsdale, Bridlemile, Vermont Hills, Maplewood, Hayhurst, West Slope, Garden Home, Raleigh Hills, Burlingam, Cedar Hills,  Cedar Mill,  Beaverton,  Tigard,  Lake Oswego

Traditional Modern

As land became less available in cities across the US,  builders were forced to build larger homes on smaller and smaller lots.  Many of these homes built in what is now known as sub-divisions.  These modern homes encompass many architectural styles from the past.   In 2000 there was an introduction of Great room floorplans.  This allowed builders to open up the floor plan, vault ceilings and save space by taking out the living room.  Additionally, more functional bonus rooms and offices began to replace bedrooms.

Time Period: 1980-Present

Common Features include;  2-stories,  traditional floor plans,  average roof pitches and Gables, stone or brick accents.

Common Neighborhoods include;  Portland Suburbs,   Raleigh Hills, Beaverton,  Tigard,  Lake Oswego,  Happy Valley, Cedar Hills, Cedar Mill,  Forest Heights,  Bethany, etc.

Modern

Streamlined homes that often incorporate high tech materials (i.e. polished aluminum, stainless steel, plastic). Characterized by an absence of decoration. Typically supported by a steel skeleton and may feature non-supporting projecting beams and columns.  In the past 10 years these homes have incorporated state of the art sustainability features and “green” materials.

Period – 1925- Present

Features include;  Flat roof,  stucco or smooth finish siding,  blocks of windows

Neighborhoods where you can find these homes; West Hills (Council Crest, Kings Heights, Portland Heights, Cardinal Heights), Fulton Park,  Forest Heights.

* There are many Contemporary Design Trends that I stay up to date with.  If you are looking for a specific look and feel, I can help you find or build that perfect home.